News Highlights week: 49 - 2021

Since 26 November, VIMC's now offers its first-ever regular Vietnam - India service through a cooperation with Gold Star Line (GSL). This involves the Vietnamese shipping line joining the GSL's Northern Vietnam - Malaysia - Eastern India ‘GKC’ service.

Concurrently, the 'GKC' has added a stop at Ho Chi Minh City’s ’SPITC Terminal’. This new call elieved to cater for the requirements of VIMC. 

The slightly-revised ‘GKC’ now connects Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Port Kelang, Calcutta, Port Kelang, Haiphong. The service turns in 28 days and it is currently operated with the 1,016 teu BIENDONG NAVIGATOR and the 1,012 teu IMKE SCHEPERS. 

Of note, GSL also advertises its two other slots participations under the same ‘GKC’ brand name. These includes, lots on the Straits Orient Lines' Straits - Calcutta service and on one of the X-Press Feeder Straits - Calcutta ‘SKX’ shuttles. VIMC however is not involved in these two services. 

CNC modifies ‘Japan - China -Thailand - Vietnam’ offer 

CNC, the Intra-Asia carrier of CMA CGM, has announced that it will merge its China - Thailand - Japan ‘CSE’ service with its Japan Thailand-Vietnam ‘JTVS’ service, effective from next week. 

The resulting loop will retain the ‘JTVS’ branding, but it will no longer serve the ports of Nansha in South China and Omaezaki in Japan. CNC will however re-instate an Omaezaki call on its 'JPX' service. 

The last sailing of the 'CSE' service is scheduled from Tokyo on 26 December with the 1,471 teu KUO LUNG.

The new ‘JTVS’ will call at Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kobe, Busan, Weihai, Dalian, Shanghai, Ningbo, Laem Chabang, Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Manila (North), Shanghai, Shekou, Laem Chabang, Ho Chi Minh City (VICT), Tokyo.

In late-January, the loop will replace the Weihai call with Yantai. The extended service will turn in 49 days using seven ships of 1,400 to 1,900 teu offering weekly sailings. 

This adjustment will take effect from 6 December when the 1,952 teu CNC SATURN is scheduled to depart from Tokyo. 
Of note, the extended JTVS provides additional direct calls at Weihai/ Yantai, Dalian, Shekou and Kobe compared to the current setup.

HMM streamlines North Vietnam short-sea coverage 

HMM has in recent months streamlined its coverage of the trade between Northern Vietnam, China and Korea. 
The South Korean carrier has in November withdrawn from its South Korea - Northern Vietnam ‘HP3’ service, is operated jointly with compatriot shipping line KMTC. 

Another South Korean compatriot, Namsung Shipping, replaces HMM as a vessel provider on this loop, which KMTC markets as 'KVX'. 
HMM has also ceased its slot agreements on three Intra-Asia loops serving Northern Vietnam in recent months. 

The first is the CK Lines and KMTC joint service ‘KSH’, connecting South Korea, Central China and Northern Vietnam. The second and third loops are ASL’s ‘HHX1’ and ‘HHX2’ covering Central and South China with Northern Vietnam.

As alternative to these four withdrawn loops, starting early December, HMM offers two services linking South Korea, South China and Northern Vietnam. These are offered through a fixed slot agreement with Heung-a and Sinokor on their ‘HPS1’ and ‘HPS2’ services. 

The ‘HPS1’ calls at Busan, Ulsan, Kwangyang, Hong Kong, Haiphong, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Busan. The service turns in two weeks using two ships of about 1,000 teu. HMM markets this service as ‘HP1’ and will participate as of 6 December. 

HMM brands the ‘HPS2’ as ‘HP2’ and starts co-loading as of 2 December. The service calls Incheon, Ulsan, Busan, Haiphong, Shekou, Incheon and it also turns in two weeks using two ships of about 1,000 teu.

Under the new configuration, HMM no longer offers a direct link between Central China and Northern Vietnam. This two-loop setup meanwhile allows the carrier to continue serving South Korea, South China and Northern Vietnam twice in a week.